From The Past: March 24, 2005

Do you remember your elementary school crush? For me it was crushes. I had two boys I was mad about from the third grade all the way through the sixth grade. I remember their first and last names and with one, I even remember his middle name. His mother was one of my teachers and she knew that I adored him. (I think my dad told her.)

They always thought they were better than we were. They had a house in a very nice neighborhood and they owned a business here in town. His mother, the teacher, always wore the best clothes, carried the newest purses, and bragged to no end about her children. I can remember her giving us homework one Wednesday and me saying, “I don’t have time to do this tonight. I have church.” To this, she smugly replied, “What’s more important?” I knew better than to answer that!

I could imagine myself with this crush. We would be married and he would adore me. The world would then be a perfect place.

When I got to middle school, we were split apart in different groups. I rarely saw him and when I did, I didn’t hold that flame that had once been there. Yes, he was still good-looking, but I had spotted other fish in the sea – many other fish.

Years have passed with no thoughts of this old crush. I did see him in some TV commercials he did for his dad, but that was it: until recently. Apparently, the boy has some serious problems with drugs.

As of late, his name has been in our local newspaper. He has pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence, fleeing or evading police, DUI (driving under the influence), and possession of marijuana. Prosecutors have recommended he receive a two-year sentence.

Geez Louise! This is shattering news. I hate anyone to be in this predicament – especially his family. Yes, they thought they were better than we were, but now they are finding that money doesn’t keep you out of trouble. In fact, money can help a drug problem to flourish in the right hands. I sincerely hope he gets the help he needs.

Don’t you sometimes wish you could go back to those elementary days – the days of playful innocence? I think we all do.